Raymond Benson to speak at Chicago writers conference, `Love is Murder` in February

29-Jan-2009 • Event

Published authors find the conference equally useful, said Raymond Benson, who wrote the James Bond 007 series from 1995 to 2003, as well as many serial and stand-alone works - reports Pioneer Local.

"For me it's about networking and business, getting to know people in the industry," he said. "We look out for each other; if we're able to recommend someone, we do. We write blurbs for the back of each other's books."

On Saturday, Benson will present "The James Bond Phenomenon slideshow" and field questions about this "archetype that came at the right place and right time."

Benson attends conferences throughout the country, but this hometown event has a different feel. "It's intimate and smaller," he said. "After hours is even more fun."

The conference attracts a slew of successful Chicago writers -- Sara Paretsky, David J. Walker and Linda Mickey to name a few. And yet it remains small and friendly.

"We could not have the cozy, comfortable fun event that everyone loves if we had hundreds and hundreds of people," said Buehler.

After attending a crime scene reenactment, playing Mystery Jeopardy or visiting with ghost of honor Sherlock Holmes (a.k.a. Augie Aleksy, owner of Century & Sleuths bookstore in Forest Park), fans have the opportunity to "rub elbows" with their favorite authors. Headliners commit to attending all meals, the social aspect of the conference.

"You could end up sitting at the bar or breakfast with a national and world renowned author and say 'I love your work,'" Buehler said.

LOVE IS MURDER MYSTERY CONFERENCE

Feb. 6-8 at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Schedule and registration at www.loveismurder.net or call Hanley Kanar at (847) 891-6588.